The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has acquired WiFiSLAM for “around” $20 million. Apple has confirmed the deal, but did not share its purpose for the company. According to a description of the firm, the company has created technology that uses ambient WiFi signals to precisely track the location of a smartphone or other mobile devices.
Notably, it appears that the technology can be utilized to construct in-door mapping solutions. Google Mapping software already supports indoor maps for a number of venues and buildings, so it would make sense that Apple would want to compete in some form with its own mapping app for iOS devices. The technology seems similar to Apple partner SkyHook which uses WiFi signals and cellular tower triangulation to location Apple devices without the need for a GPS chip.
Business Insider profiled WiFiSLAM in 2011 and a company executive explained some of the finer details of the technology:
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